MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team falls in the 2026 Sunshine State Championship game to top-seeded Tampa on Saturday, Apr. 25. 
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: Second-Seeded Florida Tech 8 | First-Seeded Tampa 17
Records: Second-Seeded Florida Tech 12-4 (6-1 SSC) | First-Seeded Tampa 18-1 (7-0 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Florida 
 
GAME NOTES
FIRST QUARTER

• The Panthers took the opening faceoff, but Tech's first shot-on-goal from Ryan Chancer was saved.
• Tampa scored twice at the 12:54 and 10:45 marks in the quarter.
• Jax Francisco made consecutive saves to stop the Spartans offense.
• The Spartans struck again just under five minutes to extend their lead to 3-0.
• Jack Cornwell got the Panthers on the board as he dove in front of the crease and snuck it passed the Spartan keeper.
• Tampa hit goals with 1:31 and eight seconds remaining.

SECOND QUARTER

• Rob Gadomski would give Tech the first goal of the second period as he jumped and shot over his defender at 13:13.
• Tampa would hit consecutive goals with 9:42 and 9:32 on the clock.
• Tech got both goals back as Max Henry scored right in front on the Spartan net, Gavin Stecher earned the assist with a pass from behind the goal. Henry scored again 10 seconds later off a pass from Ryan Chancer.
• The Spartans scored shortly after to keep distance from the Panthers up 8-4.
• Both teams were held scoreless in the last 7:26 in the half as the Panthers trailed 8-4.

THIRD QUARTER

• Tampa scored twice at the beginning of the third quarter with goals at 14:20 and 13:14.
• The Spartans continued their run as they scored three more unanswered as they staked themselves to a 13-4 lead.
• Jack Cornwell scored his second goal of the game with 2:39 remaining. Ryan Chancer credited with the assist.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Brooks van Esselstyn forced a Tampa turnover then assisted on Joe Coveleski's first goal of the game.
• Thomas Strong bodied his defender off to create space, then ripped a shot top left passed the Tampa goalie for the second Tech goal of the fourth.
• The Panthers kept the fight on as Ryan Chancer collected his third assist of the game as he hit Dawson Long who scored with 9:23 left in the fourth.
• The Spartans hit two more goals to put the game away.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Chancer led the Panthers with three points on three assists. He added four ground balls.
• Max Henry and Jack Cornwell notched multi-goal games.
• Kevin Wolfe was stingy on defense as he had two caused turnovers and four ground balls. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers will await their fate for the 2026 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships with the NCAA Selection Show taking place on Sunday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.